[Manga Comparison] Act 4 – Masquerade

Manga Comparison (Act 1)

Manga Comparison (Act 4)

What is the Manga Comparison Project?

Since its initial release in the February 1992 issue of Nakayoshi, the Sailor Moon manga has gone through four major reprints in Japan – the original Nakayoshi print, the compilation tankobon print (early 90s), the re-mastered ‘shinsoban‘ reprints (early 2000s), and the ‘kanzen‘ (early 2010s). What you may not know, though, is that Ms. Takeuchi has made changes to the art and text with each release.

This project is dedicated to compiling a list of what’s changed with each release to help us better understand how Sailor Moon has evolved over its past 25 years.

While many of these changes are minor, I think they’re worth pointing out since Ms. Takeuchi felt it was worth making these changes. Please note, though, that when a change is made in one version and is retained in the rest, I will only point out the version when the change is made.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my kind Patreon subscribers who help make this, and other side projects, possible. These comparisons go up 1 month early on Patreon, so it you’re interested in being involved, please check it out!

Brought to you by:

  • Zephyr Chan
  • Joe
  • Misty Van Dyke
  • Efrain R
  • Retrosofa
  • Katie A.
  • Roffles Lowell
  • The Sailor Book
  • Ellorgast

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Continue reading

Where is the Cast of the Live Action Sailor Moon Today?

The Sailor Team back in 2003-2004

The Sailor Team back in 2003-2004

Can you believe that, in a little over a week, the live action version of Sailor Moon will be turning 14 years old? Yes? Okay, well, it’s still quite surprising for me at least.

In honor of the upcoming anniversary, now seems like as good of a time as any to follow up with our favorite live action pretty guardians and see what they’ve been up to in the years since they had to leave their sailor uniforms behind.

Stick around for more!

Continue reading

What Was it Like to Record Audio for the Sailor Moon S Movie?

Tell me your secrets!

Tell me your secrets!

Whether it’s due to really restrictive NDAs signed by everyone involved, a stronger sense of respect for one’s prior workplace, or a power-hungry industry that will shut out anyone who opens their mouths from finding new work, it’s pretty uncommon to find tell-all accounts of what it was like working behind the scenes of Sailor Moon, or even any anime really.

While I wish I could say that I’m here to sate your (and my?) desire for drama, I’m actually here to share with you a heartwarming account by Kotono Mitsuishi, voice of Sailor Moon and Usagi Tsukino.1

Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Continue reading

What Struggles Did Naoko Takeuchi Face in Becoming a Mother?

The Princes and her Prince

The Princess and her Prince

While I typically like to keep this blog focused on matters either directly in the world of Sailor Moon or relating to things that happened back in the era, I think when we’re talking about the creative genius behind our favorite sailor-suited soldiers (of love and justice!!), I think we can allow a little wiggle room.

Though today’s topic doesn’t tie in directly into Sailor Moon or any of the characters that inhabit her carefully crafted universe, Ms. Takeuchi is a fascinating woman in her own right and definitely merits discussion. So let’s take a look at how her family came to be!

A word of caution: This article discusses the loss of a child, which is a topic that I know hits home for unfortunately far too many people. Please feel free to skip this article if the topic matter is something you’re uncomfortable with.

Continue reading

Who is the Most Popular Sailor Moon Character Now?

There can only be one...!

There can only be one…!

One of the really interesting things about taking a look back at a series that goes back as far as Sailor Moon and yet has still maintained a significant level of popularity today is that, while the characters have stayed (mostly?) the same, society’s values have changed around them.

What that means is that some characters who spoke to a generation back in the 90s may have less to say now as we face different problems. And, of course, the reverse is true as well.

While I’ve already talked at length about the Sailor Soldiers’ (and even the villains!) popularity back in the 90s, today I’d like to talk about how that’s changed and where we stand today.

I hope you like numbers, ’cause it’s gonna be a number-crunching kind of day!

Continue reading

How Did the Concept of Codename: Sailor V Evolve Into Sailor Moon?

In search of the missing link

In search of the missing link

Now that it’s been over a quarter of a century since Sailor Moon first hit bookshelves, and hit the airwaves shortly after that, I doubt it’s really much of a surprise to anyone to hear that another series by Ms. Takeuchi, Codename: Sailor V, served as a precursor to our favorite series.

And if you didn’t know… well, surprise! Now you do. Since I have a strict “one tidbit per post” rule, I guess that means that we call get to just go home then.

… or, I could finish what I started.

Today we’ll be talking about the creative process that was involved in turning a one-shot manga starring the no-nonsense beauty Sailor V and her sidekick kitty-pal Artemis into the multimedia powerhouse starring a full-fledged Sailor Team.

I hope you join along for the ride!

Continue reading

Happy Birthday Ami Mizuno!

Happy Birthday Ami!

Happy Birthday Ami!

Ami Mizuno – is there nothing this girl can’t do? The second – or third, depending on if you count Sailor V – Sailor Soldier to appear in the series takes on a variety of important roles for the team, both in and out of costume. Not only is she an absolute genius, but she also shows that she really understands her friends by serving as Usagi’s confidant in early episodes and as the voice of reason when Rei and Usagi start bickering.

She also likes cats, and anyone who likes cats is awesome in my book.

In honor of Ami’s birthday, I decided to compile five of my favorite articles about her and share them with you, together with a few comments on the article.

Continue reading